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Science and Technology — UPSC Questions & Practice

Practise 15 Science and Technology questions from UPSC for competitive exams such as UPSC, Banking, SSC and Railway. Read the worked questions below, check every answer with an explanation, and track what you get wrong.

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Practice questions on Science and Technology — with answers

Try each question first, then open the answer. Explanations are included.

1. Consider the following statements regarding India's space missions: 1. Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed near the lunar south pole in 2023. 2. India was the first country in the world to land near the lunar south pole. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Answer: C

Both statements are correct: Chandrayaan-3 achieved a successful soft landing near the Moon's south pole in August 2023, making India the first country to do so.

2. Consider the following statements regarding Mangalyaan (Mars Orbiter Mission): 1. Mangalyaan made India the first Asian country to reach Mars orbit. 2. Mangalyaan was launched using a heavier rocket than what other countries typically use for Mars missions. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Answer: A

Mangalyaan (2013-14) indeed made India the first Asian nation to reach Mars orbit. However, it was notable for its low cost and use of a relatively modest PSLV rocket, not a heavier one, showcasing India's cost-efficient space technology.

3. Consider the following statements regarding nuclear reactors: 1. A nuclear fission reaction involves splitting a heavy atomic nucleus into smaller nuclei. 2. Nuclear fusion is currently the primary process used in commercial nuclear power plants worldwide. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Answer: A

Nuclear fission is correctly described. However, commercial nuclear power plants use fission, not fusion; fusion technology for commercial power generation is still under research and development.

4. Consider the following statements regarding stem cells: 1. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types. 2. All stem cells are obtained exclusively from human embryos. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Answer: A

Stem cells' differentiation ability is correctly described. However, stem cells can also be obtained from adult tissues (adult stem cells) and can be induced from adult cells (induced pluripotent stem cells), not exclusively from embryos.

5. Consider the following statements regarding CRISPR technology: 1. CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA sequences. 2. CRISPR technology was developed exclusively for use in agriculture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2

Show answer

Answer: A

CRISPR-Cas9 is correctly described as a precise gene-editing tool. However, it has broad applications beyond agriculture, including medicine, biotechnology research, and treatment of genetic diseases.

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Science and Technology — UPSC Questions & Practice

Practice questions on Science and Technology — with answers

1. Consider the following statements regarding India's space missions: 1. Chandrayaan-3 successfully soft-landed near the lunar south pole in 2023. 2. India was the first country in the world to land near the lunar south pole. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

4. Consider the following statements regarding stem cells: 1. Stem cells have the ability to differentiate into various specialized cell types. 2. All stem cells are obtained exclusively from human embryos. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

5. Consider the following statements regarding CRISPR technology: 1. CRISPR-Cas9 is a gene-editing technology that allows precise modification of DNA sequences. 2. CRISPR technology was developed exclusively for use in agriculture. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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